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You should
start participation in the Intern Development Program (IDP) at the beginning of your first acceptable
entry point. The entry point is determined by the level of education
that you must achieve before experience can count toward satisfying
your registration board's training requirement.
The level of education varies from state to state. Some boards
accept experience after graduation from high school; however,
others only accept experience acquired after receiving a professional
degree in architecture from an NAAB-accredited program.
NCARB conditions specify that no training units may be earned prior to satisfactory completion of:
- three years in an NAAB- or CACB-accredited professional degree program.
- the third year of a four-year pre-professional degree program in architecture accepted for direct entry to a two-year NAAB-accredited professional master's degree program;
- one year in an NAAB- or CACB-accredited Master of Architecture degree program for interns with undergraduate degrees in another discipline;
- 96 semester credit hours as evaluated by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) in accordance with NCARB's Education Requirement, of which no more than 60 hours can be in the general education subject area.
For purposes of calculating years of education, 32 semester credit hours or 48 quarter credit hours shall equal one year in an academic program.
To participate in IDP, you must:
(1) establish a NCARB Council Record
(2) identify a supervisor
(3) select a mentor
(4) develop
a system for documenting your training activities
Identify a Supervisor
For interns to receive full
IDP training unit credit, architects who serve as supervisors
must hold a current registration in the state where they are
practicing architecture. Supervisors are expected to have
a general understanding of the IDP objectives and training
requirement, in order to provide broad training opportunities.
Although supervisors are not responsible for documenting your
activities, they must be familiar with documentation procedures.
Your IDP supervisor verifies and certifies your NCARB Employment
Verification/IDP Training Unit
Report forms.
The supervisor is the individual within the firm or organization who supervises you on a daily basis, regularly assesses the quality of your work, and periodically certifies your documentation of training activity. You and your supervisor must both work in the same office in circumstances where personal contact is routine. The Supervisor is responsible for
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providing reasonable opportunities for the intern to gain adequate experience in each IDP training area;
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meeting regularly with the intern to review progress and verify the intern’s IDP training report;
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encouraging the intern to participate in seminars and utilize other supplementary education resources; and
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conferring, if needed, with the intern’s mentor.
Supervisors are usually registered architects; however, in certain cases you may be supervised by others experienced in the tasks you are performing (e.g., engineers, landscape architects, interior designers, planners, or contractors). The impact of such circumstances on satisfying the IDP training requirement can be found in the Training Settings section.
Select a Mentor
You should choose an IDP mentor
who demonstrates a long-term commitment to your professional
growth.
For
all training occurring after July 1, 2000, your IDP mentor
must sign to acknowledge your IDP Training Unit Report.
You may select a mentor by:
- asking a personal acquaintance (e.g., faculty
member, previous employer);
- asking your employer or fellow interns
for
recommendations;
- contacting your AIA component—many
AIA
members volunteer to serve as mentors; or
- contacting your state or local IDP coordinator.
(See AIA Resources.)
The mentor is a registered architect, preferably outside your firm, with whom you meet periodically to review your training progress and discuss your career objectives. You may have your supervisor be your mentor. The mentor is responsible for:
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meeting once every 4 months with the intern to review training progress and to sign the intern’s IDP training report;
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suggesting additional training and supplementary education activities;
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providing guidance to enhance the intern’s professional growth; and
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conferring, if needed, with the intern’s supervisor.
Criteria for selecting your supervisor and mentor are reviewed in The IDP Process: Getting Started section.
Establish a Record of IDP Activity
You should establish a verified record of
IDP training as early as possible. Continuous documentation
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assures accurate verification;
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guides the supervisor in
providing training opportunities;
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identifies areas where supplementary
education may enhance training;
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provides prospective employers
with a verified record of experience; and
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saves considerable time when applying
for examination.
As noted in the How
IDP Works section, most registration boards require the
Council Record to verify qualifications for examination and
registration. In addition to facilitating
registration, the Council Record serves as an application
for NCARB certification.
A Council Record contains your academic transcript(s)
and verification of previous and current employment, including
verification of activity in the IDP training areas.
Council Records are confidential documents. NCARB will not
make their contents available to anyone other than registration
boards.
The procedure for establishing an NCARB Council Record is
explained here. You should
initiate a Council Record at least one year prior to your
anticipated examination date. Delays in verifying education
and training can result in financial penalties and/or postponement
of examination and registration.
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